Major Road Projects May Mean Major Delays

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Several major construction projects get underway this week; and regardless of whether you live in the South or North Hills, your commute could soon get a bit trickier.

Drivers who travel along two major thoroughfares may want to allow some extra time as work begins today on McKnight Road and Interstate 79.

McKnight Road (McCandless & Ross)
For commuters in the North Hills, the “McKnightmare” is about to get even worse as PennDOT crews begin work on a 4.6 mile stretch of McKnight Road.

In addition to resurfacing work, concrete patching and upgrading signals from Nelson Run to Perrymont Roads, crews will also be refurbishing the bridge that carries McKnight Road over Babcock Boulevard.

As phase 1 of the $8.8 million project gets underway tonight, drivers can expect to see single lane restrictions at the bridge over Babcock Boulevard through early October.

Traffic along Babcock Boulevard will also be reduced to a single lane around McKnight Road weeknights from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The following lane closures will also be in effect on McKnight Road from Babcock Boulevard to Perrymont Road:

Weeknights:

Northbound (outbound) – 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Southbound (inbound) – 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Saturdays

Northbound – 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays

Southbound – 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays

I-79 (Robinson & Kennedy Townships)
Those who travel along Interstate 79 in Robinson and Kennedy Townships can expect to see some delays starting today when crews begin installing guide rails and working on the shoulder of the highway.

Traffic in both directions will be funneled into a single lane from the Neville Island Bridge to the Crafton/Route 60 Interchange. The restrictions will be in place as needed between 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday, June 10th.

Route 50 (Bridgeville, Heidelberg, Carnegie, Collier & Scott Township)
Route 50 in Bridgeville is about to get a major upgrade, which could translate into serious traffic tie-ups for some drivers this week.

Beginning on Wednesday, PennDOT will begin a 3.5 mile overhaul of Route 50 from Bower Hill road to Boden Avenue. The $6.8 million project will include a number of lane closures and restrictions — most of which will occur at off-peak hours.

This Friday night at 8 p.m., though, part of Route 50 will close completely until 6 a.m. Monday while crews work under the railroad overpass in Bridgeville. Traffic will be detoured onto I-79 to the Carnegie/Kirwan Heights interchanges.

The project is expected to wrap up next spring.

As always, drivers are urged to use caution and leave extra time when traveling through these areas.